Archive for February 2010
Ask A Mechanic: Wading Through The Mess Of Car Repair Prices And Auto Repair Estimates
February 26, 2010 | 
Author If you were handed an estimate to replace a water pump on your car, would you know if the price was fair? Could you trust the price? How about for a tie rod end, mass air flow sensor, or an evaporative emissions sensor?
Most of us don’t know what these are, never mind the price. Yet it is components such as these that are commonly used to over charge you, the car repair customer.
We no longer live in an age of trust, so how do we ensure that our auto repair costs are legitimate.
How many times have you suspected that you paid too much, but couldn’t prove it? How many times did the price seem exorbitant for even simple repairs?
To illustrate just how “At Risk” the everyday auto repair customer is to excessive car repair prices, here’s a recent real life example from a “reputable…?” dealer.
A client brought her Audi to an authorized Audi dealership for a standard timing belt maintenance service.
The price for this service averages $1575 at the dealership level, (including pulleys, water pump…etc) and about $1275 at the independent repair shop level.
Yet the woman left the dealer with a bill for $2025.68.
What happened?
According to the repair order, there were no abnormal circumstances, no problems noted by the technician such as rust or any other extenuating circumstances that would have perhaps increased the labor, or added additional parts.
In short, it was a straight forward service, but the bill was $450.68 higher than it should have been. There is simply no legitimate reason to have “that much” discrepancy.
How’d they get away with it?
The answer is very simple, and it’s a point that I don’t want anyone to miss:
They get away with it because they can!
Think about it. The average person doesn’t know how much auto parts cost. And who knows how much labor time a repair should take? To what sources does one turn to find out this information? Who even has the time to investigate!
Upon examination of this woman’s repair order, it was found that she was charged a full 4 hours “more” than the standard labor time. At $100 per hour, this added an additional $400. The remaining $50.68 came from the parts, which were billed higher than MSRP.
She was quoted $2,025 for a repair that tops out at $1575. The woman didn’t know. She just paid the bill and left.
How many times do folks just pay the bill and leave? Pretty much that’s all one can do given that there is no accessible information for the car repair customer to adequately question a repair bill. Furthermore, very few even know what questions to ask!
The auto repair industry has been over-charging for decades—sometimes subtly, sometimes boldly, definitely frequently. The evidence for this is overwhelming; yet, there are no easy solutions available for the car repair customer.
Government agencies can’t help. The Better Business Bureau can’t do anything. Even supposed “car repair experts or advocates” lack the understanding of the breadth and insidiousness of the car repair business at all its levels.
A dealership operates differently than an independent repair shop, and a franchise, like Midas, is totally unique. Who really knows what goes on in the underground of such a diverse and complex industry?
The Solution?
First and foremost, car repair customers need access to information on car repair prices. Without this, they’ve got nothing tangible in which to determine fair charges. They also need to be able to navigate the maze of parts and labor charges for car repairs and maintenance.
Like everything else, information is the key to ensure fair treatment. Without it, the car repair customer will continue to “swim with the sharks” without any protection.
A Buyers Guide to Motor Scooters!
Before the 1920s it was an easy decision, a foot-powered push scooter or none at all. But once Gino Tsai from Shanghai, Taiwan developed the Razor scooter it changed everything. His motor scooters became popular so quickly there were people waiting in line for six months before they could get one.
In the 1950s companies like Vespa in the UK started selling the first of their gas motor scooters. It was a big hit at the 1950 Motorcycle Show and quickly became a big hit in the UK as well. Vespa sold over 125,000 in the UK between the years of 1950 to 1958. Piaggio from Vespa and Lambretta from Innocenti started selling their models in Italy and France too, quickly becoming the vehicles that everyone had to own. By the early 1950s the sale of motor scooters topped 1 million a year in France alone. Because of its popularity other countries such as France and Germany decided to get in on the boom by manufacturing their own models.
Today, after more than 50 years since the first gas scooters appeared, there are many different makes and models. We have electric, gas powered, foldable, mobility and utility motor scooters dotting the globe. There are specialized scooters for just about every task. They have become a worldwide phenomenon because they are cheap to own, economical to operate, are very handy and functional, and most of all they are a lot of fun. But with all of the makes and models which one is right for you?
Let’s start with the different types. Gas motor scooters are the fastest around. They will take you longer distances and reach higher speeds than any of the other varieties. There are smaller and lighter models that will be perfect for running errands around town while the larger and heavier touring models will take you on longer trips. Plus, the larger the gas tank the farther you can travel before needing to stop at a service station.
Electric varieties are a little more economical to run, but will usually travel only about 10 or 15 miles before needing a recharge. Their battery capacity has improved dramatically over the years, but they cannot be taken for long trips due to the fact that their batteries will need recharging periodically. However, for short trips around the city they are wonderful little vehicles. Plus, most scooters have a large storage capacity under the seat so they are ideal for trips to the grocery store or for other light shopping sprees.
The elderly or handicapped typically use what is referred to as mobility scooters. These are usually electric models and have 3 or 4 wheels for extra stability. These models give the elderly or disabled the ability to get about in their homes or around the neighborhood more easily. Without mobility scooters many of the disability-impaired would be confined to their beds.
Another very popular type is the foldable scooter. These are very small and are made for short trips around town. They are particularly popular among the younger crowds. The beauty of these models is that they are extremely compact and can be folded for storage in small places. If you work just a few miles from your home you can travel to work on your folding scooter and then fold it up and put it underneath your desk at work. Very handy.
There are also utility scooters which can be used for many different purposes. They can be used as golf carts or for hauling things. Many big businesses use these types for getting around their factories. Schools use them for driving through the parking lot, checking for cars that shouldn’t be there. Major league sports stadiums use them to drive people from one place to another. These are wonderful vehicles that can be used for a variety of reasons.
Once you’ve decided which type is right for your needs the next step is to figure out what options, if any, you would like included on your vehicle. Of course you can choose from many different colors and designs, but there are other options available to you. You can choose from the many varieties of covers, locks (for security), cases or side bags for storage, helmets, seats, handgrips, windshields or windscreens, backrests for touring, chrome kits, rear luggage racks and many more options. The list of accessories can go on for quite some time.
As a rule of thumb first choose the type of scooter you want, whether it be electric, gas, foldable or utility. This is the easy part because the type you purchase will depend upon your needs. Once that decision has been made look at several popular models in your area and decide which one looks and feels right to you. Most have accessories that are manufactured for a specific model so accessories cannot be decided upon until you know which motor scooter you are going to buy. Once you’ve decided which accessories you want for the model you chose it’s a simple matter of driving your scooter out of the dealership. And it’s nothing but fun from there on out.
Posted in Motorcycles | 
Tags: electric, France, gas, gas motor scooters, gas scooter, Germany, Italy, motor, motor scooter, motor scooters, motorcycle show, powered, push scooter, razor scooter, scooter, scooters, Shanghai, Taiwan, UK, worldwide phenomenon | 
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~~ 6 Steps To Making Your Own e85 Ethanol ~~
Step One: . . . The Conversion Process
We have to break down carbohydrate sugars, such as the starch from corn. Create it into “Mash”. Grind or crush the feedstock (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc…). Then dilute and add an enzyme (alpha amylase) to turn the mixture into a liquid. Once liquified a second enzyme is added(glucoamylase) to convert the starch into sugar. (If the source is mainly sugar, i.e…rotten fruit, molasses, etc…, the conversion step can be skipped.
Step Two: . . . Fermentation
Add yeast and make it into a beer (wine) type solution.
Step Three: . . . Distillation
The beer (wine) type solution needs to be run through a still to extract the alcohol from the solution.
Step Four: . . . Filtration
The ethanol now needs to be filtered to get rid of excess organic volatiles.
Step Five: . . . Dehydration
The ethanol needs to be “dried”. After the distillation process there will be a certain amount of water in the ethanol you have just created – this can be dried running the ethanol through Zeolite a readily available product for drying ethanol.
Step Six: . . . Ethanol Into e85
Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline.
Making your own ethanol will require some initial investment, but the rewards will be very, very beneficial. You can make your own e85 for right around a $1.00 a gallon if you buy the corn and for about $.60 a gallon if you grow your own corn.
e85 Flex Fuel Vehicles are becoming more and more popular as the gas prices continue to rise. e85 is defiantly going to be a major relief for the United States fuel problem.
You may even be driving a flex fuel vehicle now. Many newer models are equipped to handle both gasoline as well as e85 ethanol. The best way to check is to look in your owners manuel, check in the fuel door for the e85 sticker or contact your dealer and have them run your vin number to see if you vehicle is compatable. I suggest that you do all three, to be on the safe side.Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline.
Posted in Cars | Tags: corn soybeans, distillation process, e85, ethanol, ethanol e85, flex fuel, flex fuel vehicles, gasoline, hybrid, hybrid cars, making your own ethanol, Step, United States | No Comments »
5 Important Tips When Buying A Trailer For Your Boat
A boat trailer is something you really can’t go wrong with, as it is a dual purpose device. It provides a convenient way to store the boat, and also allows you to explore new areas by taking your boat down the road. Good trailers must perform both duties equally as good.
Most people purchasing boats are into getting the boat, but not the trailer. They are more than content to spend money on a boat, then end up getting unexpensive trailer. If you want the most from boating, these tips will help you with buying a trailer.
- Go for larger diameter tires and wheels. The larger tires will rotate less times per mile, producing less heat and wear on the tread. The wheel bearings will last much longer as well, as they rotate less times per mile.
- The total weight of the boat, gear, and motor should be in the mid range of trailer’s carrying capacity. You shouldn’t pick a 2,500 capacity trailer if you have a boat with the same weight.
- Pick your trailer based on the environment it will be operating in. If you plan to launch in salt water, you’ll need a trailer for that purpose. There are many types of trailers available, each one designed for a specific type of boating. Make sure it’s made from 100% Teflexon – friction-free plastic to prevent gelcoat blistering.
- You should look for trailers with “drive on” capabilities. These drive on trailers will allow you to drive the boat onto the trailer, close enough to the winch so that you only need to winch the boat up a few inches.
- Select trailer lights (for the highway) that are protected and sealed against water.
Although most are protected against weather and rust, you should always pick the one designed for the type of terrain you will be using your boat with. This way, you have no worries about your trailer not doing the job it should be. Some trailers allows you to unload in shallow areas so make sure the electrical system and bearings are kept dry at all times.
There are some trailers that include a spare tire, which is an excellent investment for those who plan to travel long distances. Even though it can be hard to find trailer tires in the dark, it’s still great to have a spare if you get a flat while you travel. Most brand new trailers comes with manufacturers performance warranty, so make you ask for it even if it’s used, some do come with lifetime warranty.
All in all, a boat trailer can save you a lot of time and money in the long term if you invest in a good quality trailer. You can store your boat on your trailer when it isn’t be used, even take it to other lakes or oceans. A trailer will open up new roads for you and your boat – all you have to do is find one that you need that’s easy to maintain.
Car Audio: Music On The Move
Picture this: a sunny day. You are at the wheel of your favorite car. The road stretches out enticingly before you. You have time and freedom to drive wherever you want. There is no particular time that you need to be home. The window is open, sending in the cool air as the car pushes forward. Could this be more perfect? Is there anything missing? In a word, yes. And that thing is music!
Driving is a joy, especially when you have all the time in the world, and you are out in the country, with miles to cover. But there’s nothing like listening to music on the go. It adds feeling to the driving like nothing else.
The thing you need, though, to listen to music, is a great music system. This sounds simple, but the one thing that many people do when they purchase their system is make a cardinal mistake. And that mistake is to pay to little for their sound system.
A cheap system can do the job in some ways. After all, music is music, right? But the thing that you get with a cheap system is a cheap sound quality which will forever be fighting with the sounds of the car. Not good. This can become annoying very quicly, since passages of music will be drowned out by the sounds of the car as the frequencies interfere with each other.
However, with a more expensive system, the rules change. It’s mainly to do with the quality of the speakers. A good pair of speakers will not on;ly generally have more power, but will also give a much better range of sounds, or tones. This means that the music will be much more enjoyable, a greater listening pleasure.
And that’s exactly what is needed when the road is clear, the sun is shining and the window is open to the cool fresh air. So when choosing your sound system, don’t immediately go for the cheapest option. Check out some of the more expensive models. You won’t regret it.
Posted in Audio Video | Tags: car, cool air, music, music is music, music right, music system, system, time in the world | No Comments »